Electric component unit, and outdoor unit of refrigeration apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electric component unit in an outdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus, includes: a first electric component; a first chamber that houses the first electric component; a second electric component; and a second chamber that houses the second electric component. The first chamber has a higher degree of hermetic sealing than the second chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2022/012173, filed Mar. 17, 2022, and claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2021-047399, filed Mar. 22, 2021 and toJapanese Patent Application No. 2021-047400, filed Mar. 22, 2021. Thecontents of these priority applications are incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electric component unit, and anoutdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, outdoor units for refrigeration apparatuses such as airconditioners have been used, including components such as a compressorand heat exchanger that constitute a refrigerant circuit, and anelectric component unit for controlling the various components.

For example, in a refrigeration apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature1 (JP 2010-2121 A), a part of a refrigerant pipe in a refrigerantcircuit is disposed on one side of the casing of an electric componentunit in order to cool heat-generating components included in theelectric component unit. Furthermore, the interior of the casing of theelectric component unit is filled with insulating liquid havingexcellent thermal conductivity. As a result, in the refrigerationapparatus according to Patent Literature 1, it is not necessary toprovide in the casing a large opening that allows passage of airflow forcooling the heat-generating components, so that the intrusion of dustcan be prevented and the heat-generating components can be cooled.

SUMMARY

An electric component unit according to one or more embodiments isprovided in an outdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus, and includes afirst electric component, a first chamber that houses the first electriccomponent, a second electric component, and a second chamber that housesthe second electric component. The first chamber has a higher degree ofhermetic sealing than the second chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a refrigeration apparatusaccording to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an outdoor unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic external perspective view illustrating thearrangement and the like of an outdoor control unit in the outdoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic external perspective view illustrating a statewhere a second cooling portion is moved.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the interior of theoutdoor control unit in plan view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the front side portion ofthe interior of the outdoor control unit as viewed from the front.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the back side portion ofthe interior of the outdoor control unit as viewed from the back.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the interior of theoutdoor control unit as viewed from the right side.

FIG. 9 is a schematic external perspective view of a wire seal material.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the periphery of theoutdoor control unit in plan view in a state where the second coolingportion is turned forward.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram in plan view illustratinghow the outdoor control unit is removed forward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION (1) Configuration of Refrigeration Apparatus

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration apparatus1.

The refrigeration apparatus 1 is used for cooling and heating a room ina building or the like by vapor compression refrigeration cycleoperation. The refrigeration apparatus 1 mainly includes an outdoor unit2, an indoor unit 4, and a liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6and a gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5 that allow communicationbetween the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4. A refrigerant circuit10 of the refrigeration apparatus 1 is configured by connecting theoutdoor unit 2, the indoor unit 4, the liquid-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 6, and the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5.

Note that the refrigerant circuit 10 according to one or moreembodiments is filled with an optional refrigerant such as R410A or R32.

(1-1) Indoor Unit

The indoor unit 4 is installed by being embedded in or suspended fromthe ceiling of a room in a building or the like, or by being hung on thewall surface of the room. The indoor unit 4 is connected to the outdoorunit 2 through the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 and thegas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5, and constitutes part of therefrigerant circuit 10.

Note that in the refrigeration apparatus 1 according to one or moreembodiments, there are a plurality of the indoor units 4 connected inparallel to each other in the refrigerant circuit Since the indoor units4 have the same configuration, one of the indoor units 4 will bedescribed below.

The indoor unit 4 mainly has an indoor expansion valve 44, an indoorheat exchanger 41, an indoor fan 42, and an indoor control unit 46.

The indoor heat exchanger 41 is, for example, a cross-fin typefin-and-tube heat exchanger configured from a heat transfer tube and alarge number of fins. The indoor heat exchanger 41 functions as anevaporator for the refrigerant and cools indoor air during coolingoperation, and functions as a radiator or condenser for the refrigerantand heats indoor air during heating operation. The gas-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 5 is connected to the gas side of the indoor heatexchanger 41.

The indoor expansion valve 44 is an electronic expansion valve, thevalve opening degree of which is adjustable. The indoor expansion valve44 is provided in the refrigerant flow path between the indoor heatexchanger 41 and the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6.

The indoor unit 4 has the indoor fan 42 that sucks indoor air into theunit and after causing the indoor heat exchanger 41 to exchange heatbetween the sucked indoor air and the refrigerant, supplies theheat-exchanged air as supply air into the room. The indoor fan 42 is acentrifugal fan, a multiblade fan, or the like. The indoor fan 42 has anindoor fan motor 43.

The indoor control unit 46 controls the operation of the components thatconstitute the indoor unit 4. The indoor control unit 46 has amicrocomputer, a memory, and the like provided to control the indoorunit 4. The indoor control unit 46 can exchange control signals and thelike with an outdoor control unit 50 of the outdoor unit 2 or a remotecontroller 3 through a transmission line 7 a.

(1-2) Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside a building or the like, and isconnected to the indoor units 4 through the liquid-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 6 and the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the outdoor unit 2. In FIG. 2, part of the internal configuration of the outdoor unit 2 is omitted.Note that in the following description, unless otherwise specified,“upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “rear” refer to thedirections when the outdoor unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 is viewed fromthe front (left oblique front side in the drawing). Here, in one or moreembodiments, the direction in which the surface without the outdoor heatexchanger 23 or the surface with the smallest portion where the outdoorheat exchanger 23 is present is located is referred to as “front” asviewed from the center of the outdoor unit 2 in plan view. Note that inFIG. 2 , main equipment and the outdoor control unit 50 inside theoutdoor unit 2 are mainly illustrated, and the outdoor heat exchanger23, other pipes, and the like are omitted. In addition, FIG. 3 is aschematic external perspective view illustrating the arrangement and thelike of the outdoor control unit 50 in the outdoor unit 2. In FIG. 3 ,the outdoor control unit 50, a first cooling portion 34 and secondcooling portion 38 in the periphery thereof, the outdoor heat exchanger23, an outdoor fan 26, and the like are mainly illustrated, and otherequipment, pipes, and the like are omitted.

The outdoor unit 2 mainly has an outdoor unit casing 11, a compressor21, a four-way switching valve 22, the outdoor heat exchanger 23, anoutdoor expansion valve 24, an accumulator 25, a liquid-side shutoffvalve 29, a gas-side shutoff valve 28, a cooling circuit 30, the outdoorfan 26, the outdoor control unit 50, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, the outdoor unit 2 is a top-blowing heatexchange unit that sucks air from the left and right side surfaces andthe back surface of the outdoor unit casing 11 and blows the air upwardfrom the upper end surface of the outdoor unit casing 11.

The outdoor unit casing 11 mainly has a main portion 13 and a fan module12 provided on top of the main portion 13.

The main portion 13 has a pair of installation legs 18, a bottom frame15, four supports 14, a front panel 13 a, and mesh portions 13 b, 13 c,and 13 d. The installation legs 18 are provided, one on the front sideand one on the rear side, and extend in the left-right direction. Thebottom frame 15 is bridged over the installation legs 18. The supports14 extend vertically from the corners of the bottom frame 15. The frontpanel 13 a extends between the two supports 14 on the front side. Themesh portion 13 b is provided so as to extend forward and backwardbetween the supports 14 on the left side. The mesh portion 13 c isprovided so as to extend to the left and right between the supports 14on the rear side. The mesh portion 13 d is provided so as to extendforward and backward between the supports 14 on the right side.

The bottom frame 15 forms the bottom of the outdoor unit casing 11, andthe outdoor heat exchanger 23 is provided on the bottom frame 15. Here,the outdoor heat exchanger 23 has a substantially U-shape in plan viewfacing the back surface and both left and right side surfaces of theoutdoor unit casing 11.

Note that each of the mesh portions 13 b, 13 c, and 13 d is provided soas to extend along the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 23.These mesh portions 13 b, 13 c, and 13 d substantially form threesuction ports on the right side, left side, and back side in the outdoorunit casing 11.

The front panel 13 a has an upper front panel 16 constituting the upperportion of the front surface of the outdoor unit casing 11 and a lowerfront panel 17 constituting the lower portion of the front surface ofthe outdoor unit casing 11.

The fan module 12 is attached to the upper ends of the supports 14. Thefan module 12 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box having afront side plate 12 a, a left side plate 12 b, a back side plate 12 c,and a right side plate 12 d, and penetrates in the vertical direction.The fan module 12 houses the outdoor fan 26 therein to form a flow pathfor an upward air flow.

The compressor 21 is, for example, a positive-displacement compressordriven by a compressor motor 21 a. In one or more embodiments, the twocompressors 21 are connected in parallel to each other. The compressormotor 21 a is driven by being supplied with power through an inverterdevice. The operating capacity of the compressor 21 is variable bychanging the drive frequency of the compressor motor 21 a and varyingthe number of rotation. The discharge side of the compressor 21 isconnected to one of a plurality of connection ports of the four-wayswitching valve 22. In one or more embodiments, the compressor 21 isplaced on the bottom frame 15.

The accumulator 25 is a refrigerant reservoir provided between thesuction side of the compressor 21 and one of the plurality of connectionports of the four-way switching valve 22. In one or more embodiments,the accumulator 25 is placed on the bottom frame 15.

The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is, for example, a cross-fin typefin-and-tube heat exchanger configured from a heat transfer tube and alarge number of fins. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 functions as aradiator or condenser for the refrigerant during the cooling operation,and functions as an evaporator for the refrigerant during the heatingoperation. One of the plurality of connection ports of the four-wayswitching valve 22 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heatexchanger 23 through a refrigerant pipe. The outdoor expansion valve 24is connected to the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 throughthe refrigerant pipe.

The outdoor fan 26 is housed in the fan module 12. The outdoor fan 26sucks outdoor air from the lower periphery of the outdoor unit casing 11into the interior, thereby forming an air flow that, after causing theoutdoor heat exchanger 23 to exchange heat between the sucked outdoorair and the refrigerant, discharges the heat-exchanged air upwardthrough a blow-out port that is provided on the upper end surface of thefan module 12. The outdoor fan 26 is a propeller fan or the like drivenby an outdoor fan motor 26 a, which is a DC fan motor, and has avariable air volume. In one or more embodiments, the outdoor fan motor26 a is driven by being supplied with power through an inverter device.

The outdoor expansion valve 24 is an electric expansion valve, the valveopening degree of which is adjustable in order to adjust the flow rateof the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 10. The outdoorexpansion valve 24 is provided between the liquid-side outlet of theoutdoor heat exchanger 23 and the liquid-side shutoff valve 29.

The four-way switching valve 22 has the plurality of connection ports.The four-way switching valve 22 switches the refrigerant circuit 10between the cooling operation connection state and the heating operationconnection state by switching the connection state of the plurality ofconnection ports. In the cooling operation connection state, thedischarge side of the compressor 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23are connected, and the suction side of the compressor 21 and thegas-side shutoff valve 28 are connected. In the heating operationconnection state, the discharge side of the compressor 21 and thegas-side shutoff valve 28 are connected, and the suction side of thecompressor 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are connected.

The liquid-side shutoff valve 29 is provided at a connecting port withthe liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6. The liquid-sideshutoff valve 29 is connected to the opposite side of the outdoorexpansion valve 24 to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 side through therefrigerant pipe. The gas-side shutoff valve 28 is provided at aconnecting port with the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5. Thegas-side shutoff valve 28 is connected to one of the plurality ofconnection ports of the four-way switching valve 22 through therefrigerant pipe.

The cooling circuit 30 is used to cool the electric components such asheat-generating components, to be described later, of the outdoorcontrol unit 50, and has a first cooling circuit 31 and a second coolingcircuit 35.

The first cooling circuit 31 branches from between the discharge side ofthe compressor 21 and one of the plurality of connection ports of thefour-way switching valve 22, and causes the refrigerant to flow so as tomerge between one of the plurality of connection ports of the four-wayswitching valve 22 and the accumulator 25. The first cooling circuit 31has a first heat exchanger 32, a first expansion valve 33, and the firstcooling portion 34. The first heat exchanger 32, the first expansionvalve 33, and the first cooling portion 34 are provided such that therefrigerant flows in this order in the first cooling circuit 31. Notethat in one or more embodiments, the first heat exchanger 32 isintegrated with the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and a second heatexchanger 36 to be described later by sharing the heat transfer fins.The first expansion valve 33 is an electric expansion valve, the valveopening degree of which is adjustable in order to adjust the flow rateof the refrigerant flowing in the first cooling circuit 31. The firstcooling portion 34 is provided so as to cool the space in which theelectric components such as heat-generating components of the outdoorcontrol unit 50 are housed, from the back side of the outdoor controlunit 50 via first heat transfer members 34 a to be described later.

The second cooling circuit 35 branches from between the discharge sideof the compressor 21 and one of the plurality of connection ports of thefour-way switching valve 22, and causes the refrigerant to flow so as tomerge between one of the plurality of connection ports of the four-wayswitching valve 22 and the accumulator 25. The second cooling circuithas the second heat exchanger 36, the second cooling portion 38, and asecond expansion valve 37. The second heat exchanger 36, the secondcooling portion 38, and the second expansion valve 37 are provided sothat the refrigerant flows in this order in the second cooling circuit35. Note that in one or more embodiments, the second heat exchanger 36is integrated with the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the first heatexchanger 32 by sharing the heat transfer fins. The second expansionvalve 37 is an electric expansion valve, the valve opening degree ofwhich is adjustable in order to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerantflowing in the second cooling circuit 35. The second cooling portion 38is provided so as to be in thermal contact with and cool the electriccomponents such as heat-generating components of the outdoor controlunit 50 from the front side via second heat transfer members 38 a to bedescribed later.

Note that although details will be described later, when constructingthe outdoor unit 2 or performing maintenance of the outdoor control unit50 and the like of the outdoor unit 2, the second cooling portion 38 inthe second cooling circuit 35 is moved toward the front as illustratedin FIG. 4 . Specifically, by rotating, in a twisting manner, a firstconnection pipe 39 a and a second connection pipe 39 b that extend fromboth ends of the second cooling portion 38, the second cooling portion38 is turned out forward, and the construction and maintenance of theoutdoor control unit 50 and the like are performed.

In addition, the outdoor unit 2 is provided with various sensors (notillustrated).

The outdoor control unit 50 is provided below the fan module 12, closeto the front side, and facing the back side of the upper front panel 16,in the outdoor unit casing 11. More specifically, the outdoor controlunit 50 is located forward of the compressor 21 and the accumulator 25.The outdoor control unit 50 can be accessed by a local worker through anopening 16 a that is exposed when the upper front panel 16 of theoutdoor unit casing 11 is removed. Note that the opening 16 a isbordered by the support 14 located at the left front, the support 14located at the right front, the lower edge of the front side plate 12 aof the fan module 12, and the upper edge of the lower front panel 17,and is open in the front-rear direction. The outdoor control unit 50controls the operation of the components that constitute the outdoorunit 2. The outdoor control unit 50 has a microcomputer and a memoryprovided to control the outdoor unit 2, and controls the states of thecompressor motor 21 a, the outdoor fan motor 26 a, the outdoor expansionvalve 24, the four-way switching valve 22, the first expansion valve 33,the second expansion valve 37, and the like. The outdoor control unit 50can exchange control signals and the like with the indoor control units46 of the indoor units 4 and the remote controller 3 through thetransmission line 7 a. The above-described indoor control units 46,outdoor control unit 50, and remote controller 3 are connected to eachother by the transmission line 7 a to constitute a control unit 7 thatcontrols the operation of the entire refrigeration apparatus 1.

The control unit 7 is connected so as to be able to receive detectionsignals from various sensors (not illustrated), and also controlsvarious equipment on the basis of these detection signals or the like.Note that the control unit 7 has a CPU that executes the above-describedvarious controls, a memory that stores information used for executingthe various controls, and the like.

(1-3) Refrigerant Communication Pipe

The liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 and the gas-siderefrigerant communication pipe 5 are refrigerant pipes that areconstructed on site when installing the refrigeration apparatus 1 in aninstallation place such as a building.

Note that, in the refrigeration apparatus 1 according to one or moreembodiments having the plurality of indoor units 4, the liquid-siderefrigerant communication pipe 6 has a branch portion corresponding toeach of the indoor units, and the gas-side refrigerant communicationpipe 5 has a branch portion corresponding to each of the indoor units.

(2) Refrigeration Cycle in Refrigerant Circuit

The refrigerant circuit 10 of the refrigeration apparatus 1 mainlyperforms cooling operation and heating operation by switching theconnection state of the four-way switching valve 22. Here, the operationof the portion of the refrigerant circuit 10 other than the coolingcircuit 30 will be described.

(2-1) Cooling Operation

The cooling operation is performed in a state where the connection stateof the four-way switching valve 22 is switched such that the dischargeside of the compressor 21 is on the outdoor heat exchanger 23 side andthe suction side of the compressor 21 is on the indoor heat exchanger 41side.

The compressor 21 is frequency controlled, for example, to process thecooling load in each of the indoor units 4. As a result, thelow-pressure refrigerant sucked into the compressor 21 is dischargedfrom the compressor 21 to become a high-pressure refrigerant, whichflows through the four-way switching valve 22 into the outdoor heatexchanger 23.

The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 23 radiates heatand condenses. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger23 passes through the outdoor expansion valve 24, which is controlled tobe fully open by the control unit 7 during the cooling operation.

The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor expansion valve 24passes through the liquid-side shutoff valve 29 and is sent to theliquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6.

The refrigerant flowing through the liquid-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 6 is branched and then sent to each of the indoorunits 4.

The refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor units 4 is decompressedto the low pressure of the refrigeration cycle at the indoor expansionvalve 44. Note that the control unit 7 controls the valve opening degreeof the indoor expansion valve 44 such that, for example, the degree ofsuperheating of the refrigerant on the outlet side of the indoor heatexchanger 41 becomes a predetermined target degree of superheating.

The refrigerant decompressed by the indoor expansion valve 44 of each ofthe indoor units 4 evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger 41. Therespective refrigerants evaporated in the indoor heat exchangers 41merge, and flow through the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5.

The refrigerant flowing through the gas-side refrigerant communicationpipe 5 is sucked again into the compressor 21 through the gas-sideshutoff valve 28, four-way switching valve 22, and accumulator 25 of theoutdoor unit 2.

(2-2) Heating Operation

The heating operation is performed in a state where the connection stateof the four-way switching valve 22 is switched such that the dischargeside of the compressor 21 is on the indoor heat exchanger 41 side andthe suction side of the compressor 21 is on the outdoor heat exchanger23 side.

The compressor 21 is frequency controlled, for example, to process theheating load in each of the indoor units. As a result, the high-pressurerefrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows toward the indoorunits 4 via the four-way switching valve 22 and the gas-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 5.

Here, the refrigerant that has passed through the gas-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 5 branches off and flows into each of the indoorunits 4.

The refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor units 4 radiates heatand condenses in the indoor heat exchanger 41. Note that during theheating operation, the valve opening degree of each of the indoorexpansion valves 44 is controlled such that the degree of subcooling ofthe refrigerant flowing through the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger41 becomes a predetermined value, for example.

In this way, the respective refrigerants condensed in the indoor heatexchangers 41 and passing through the indoor expansion valves 44 merge,and flow through the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6.

The refrigerant flowing through the liquid-side refrigerantcommunication pipe 6 is supplied to the outdoor unit 2 through theliquid-side shutoff valve 29. The refrigerant that has passed throughthe liquid-side shutoff valve 29 is decompressed to the low pressure ofthe refrigeration cycle at the outdoor expansion valve 24. Specifically,for example, the valve opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 24is controlled such that the degree of superheating of the refrigerantflowing through the suction side of the compressor 21 becomes a targetdegree of superheating.

The refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 evaporates and issucked again into the compressor 21 via the four-way switching valve 22and the accumulator 25.

(3) Refrigerant Flow in Cooling Circuit

Here, the operation of the cooling circuit 30 in the refrigerant circuit10 will be described.

The refrigerant can flow through the first cooling circuit 31 and thesecond cooling circuit 35 of the cooling circuit 30 during both thecooling operation and the heating operation. During both the coolingoperation and the heating operation, more specifically, the outdoorcontrol unit 50 may control the valve opening degrees of the firstexpansion valve 33 and the second expansion valve 37 so that therefrigerant flows to the first cooling circuit 31 and the second coolingcircuit 35 at all times when the compressor 21 is driven.

Here, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 and decompressedby first expansion valve 33 after radiating heat in the first heatexchanger 32 is guided to the first cooling portion 34 of the firstcooling circuit 31. At least some of the refrigerant flowing through thefirst cooling portion 34 is evaporated by receiving the heat from theheat-generating components of the outdoor control unit 50, and flowstoward the accumulator 25.

In addition, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 and afterradiating heat in second heat exchanger 36 is guided to the secondcooling portion 38 of the second cooling circuit 35. At least some ofthe refrigerant flowing through the second cooling portion 38 evaporatesby receiving the heat from the heat-generating components of the outdoorcontrol unit 50, is decompressed when passing through the secondexpansion valve 37, and flows toward the accumulator 25.

Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the firstcooling portion 34 is different from the temperature of the refrigerantflowing through the second cooling portion 38, and the temperature ofthe refrigerant flowing through the first cooling portion 34 is lower.

Note that in one or more embodiments, the pipe portions that constitutethe first cooling circuit 31 and the second cooling circuit 35 arecopper pipes. The pipe portions that constitute the first coolingcircuit 31 and the second cooling circuit 35 have uniform material andpipe diameter in one or more embodiments. The pipe diameter of the pipeportions that constitute the first cooling circuit 31 and the secondcooling circuit 35 is smaller than the pipe diameter of the main pipeportion in the refrigerant circuit 10, for example, the nominal pipediameter may be ½ inch or less (outer diameter of 12.7 mm or less), ⅜inch or less (outer diameter of 9.52 mm or less), or ¼ inch or less(outer diameter of 6.35 mm or less). Here, the main pipe portion of therefrigerant circuit 10 can be, for example, a pipe connected to theoutdoor heat exchanger 23.

(4) Detailed Configuration of Outdoor Control Unit

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the interior of theoutdoor control unit 50 in plan view. FIG. 6 is a schematicconfiguration diagram of the front side portion of the interior of theoutdoor control unit 50 as viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a schematicconfiguration diagram of the back side portion of the interior of theoutdoor control unit 50 as viewed from the back. FIG. 8 is a schematicconfiguration diagram of the interior of the outdoor control unit 50 asviewed from the right side.

The outdoor control unit 50 has an electric component casing 50 a, afirst board 61, a second board 62, a third board 63, a fourth board 64,and a fifth board 65.

The electric component casing 50 a has a back surface 57, a top surface55, a lower surface 56, a right side surface 54, a left side surface 53,an upper front lid 51, a lower front lid 52, a second partition plate58, and a first partition plate 59. The appearance of the electriccomponent casing 50 a is a substantially box shape formed by the backsurface 57, the top surface 55, the lower surface 56, the right sidesurface 54, the left side surface 53, the upper front lid 51, and thelower front lid 52. Among them, the back surface 57, the top surface 55,the lower surface 56, the right side surface 54, the left side surface53, the second partition plate 58, the first partition plate 59, theupper front lid 51, and the lower front lid 52 are made of metal exceptfor the portion of a lid seal material 50 b described later. Note thatthe back surface 57, the top surface 55, the lower surface 56, the rightside surface 54, and the left side surface 53 are integrally formed.Note that when a plurality of metal plate members are used to form asingle piece, the metal plate members may be coupled to each other sothat no gaps are created by seaming. The upper front lid 51 and thelower front lid 52 are both sheet metal having a substantiallyrectangular shape in a front view, and constitute the front surface ofthe electric component casing 50 a. The upper front lid 51 is locatedabove the lower front lid 52. In one or more embodiments, the upperfront lid 51 is larger than the lower front lid 52 in a front view.

Note that the upper front lid 51 has an inspection port 51 a penetratingtherethrough in the plate thickness direction. The inspection port 51 ais openably closed by an inspection lid 51 b.

The second partition plate 58 extends vertically and horizontally so asto partition the interior of the electric component casing 50 a into thefront side and the rear side. The second partition plate 58 is providednear the center of the interior of the electric component casing 50 a inthe front-rear direction. The first partition plate 59 extendshorizontally so as to partition the space forward of the secondpartition plate 58 inside the electric component casing into the upperand lower sections. The first partition plate 59 is provided near thecenter in the interior of the electric component casing 50 a in thevertical direction. As a result, the interior of the electric componentcasing 50 a is partitioned into a first space S1 behind the secondpartition plate 58, a second space S2 forward of the second partitionplate 58 and above the first partition plate 59, and a third space S3forward of the second partition plate 58 and below the first partitionplate 59.

Note that the first partition plate 59 has a first opening 59 apenetrating therethrough in the vertical direction so as to allowcommunication between the second space S2 and the third space S3. Inaddition, the second partition plate 58 has a second opening 58 apenetrating therethrough in the front-rear direction so as to allowcommunication between the first space S1 and the second space S2. Notethat the second partition plate 58 is not provided with an opening thatallows direct communication between the first space S1 and the thirdspace S3. A wire seal material 90 illustrated in FIG. 9 is attached tothe first opening 59 a of the first partition plate 59.

The lower surface 56 has, behind the second partition plate 58, anopening 56 b that allows communication between the first space S1 andthe external space below the electric component casing 50 a. An electricwire 63 b extending from an IPM provided on the third board 63 to bedescribed later passes through the opening 56 b. The wire seal material90 illustrated in FIG. 9 is attached to the opening 56 b of the lowersurface 56. Note that the opening area of the opening 56 b provided inlower surface 56 is substantially equal to the opening area of thesecond opening 58 a provided in second partition plate 58, and issmaller than the opening area of the first opening 59 a provided in thefirst partition plate 59.

Note that any elastic member can be used as the wire seal material 90,but in one or more embodiments, a rubber bush is used.

The wire seal material 90 has a partition portion 91, a firstcylindrical portion 92, a second cylindrical portion 93, and acommunication portion 94, and is formed from a flexible material such asrubber. The partition portion 91 has a substantially rectangular plateshape. The first cylindrical portion 92 is provided so as to extend outfrom the flat portion of the partition portion 91. The secondcylindrical portion 93 is provided so as to extend out from the flatportion of the partition portion 91 to the opposite side to the firstcylindrical portion 92 side. The communication portion 94 is provided atthe position connecting the inside of the first cylindrical portion 92and the inside of the second cylindrical portion 93 in the partitionportion 91, and has a plurality of cuts radially provided so as topenetrate the partition portion 91 in the thickness direction. The wireseal material 90 is attached to the first partition plate 59 by fittingeither the first cylindrical portion 92 or the second cylindricalportion 93 inside the first opening 59 a. When viewed from the thicknessdirection of the first partition plate 59, the communication portion 94of the wire seal material 90 is located inside the first opening 59 a ofthe first partition plate 59.

Note that similarly, the wire seal material 90 illustrated in FIG. 9 isattached to the second opening 58 a of the second partition plate 58.The wire seal material 90 is attached to the second partition plate 58by fitting either the first cylindrical portion 92 or the secondcylindrical portion 93 inside the second opening 58 a. When viewed fromthe thickness direction of the second partition plate 58, thecommunication portion 94 of the wire seal material 90 is located insidethe second opening 58 a of the second partition plate 58.

The upper front lid 51 is fitted to the front edges of the top surface55, the right side surface 54, the left side surface 53, and the firstpartition plate 59. Note that the top surface the lower surface 56, theright side surface 54, the left side surface 53, and the first partitionplate 59 are provided with the lid seal material 50 b to border therespective front edges. The lid seal material 50 b may be, for example,a packing formed from rubber or the like provided along each of thefront edges. The packing may be a U-shaped packing that sandwiches theedge. Since the lid seal material 50 b is provided in this manner, whenthe upper front lid 51 is attached, the gap between the upper front lid51 and the respective front edges of the top surface 55, the right sidesurface 54, the left side surface 53, and the first partition plate 59is filled, and the hermeticity of the second space S2 can be enhanced.

The lower front lid 52 is fitted to the front edges of the lower surface56, the right side surface 54, the left side surface 53, and the firstpartition plate 59. Similarly, with regard to the lower front lid 52,since the above-described lid seal material 50 b is provided, when thelower front lid 52 is attached, the gap between the lower front lid 52and the respective front edges of the lower surface 56, the right sidesurface 54, the left side surface 53, and the first partition plate 59is filled, and the hermeticity of the third space S3 can be enhanced.

Note that the lower surface 56 has a movable surface 56 x forward of thesecond partition plate 58 and in the vicinity of the left end. Themovable surface 56 x is formed with an opening for allowing the firstconnection pipe 39 a and second connection pipe 39 b to be describedlater, which are connected to the ends of the second cooling portion 38of the second cooling circuit 35, to pass through in the verticaldirection. The movable surface 56 x can be separated from the lowersurface 56 by sliding forward together with the first connection pipe 39a and the second connection pipe 39 b.

Note that, of the surfaces constituting the outer periphery of theelectric component casing 50 a, the back surface 57 is the widestsurface. The length of the back surface 57 in the left-right directionis longer than the length of the left side surface 53 in the front-reardirection, and is longer than the length of the right side surface 54 inthe front-rear direction. Therefore, the first cooling portion 34 of thefirst cooling circuit 31 can ensure a sufficiently long region in theleft-right direction for thermal contact with the back surface 57 of theelectric component casing 50 a.

The first board 61, the second board 62, the third board 63, the fourthboard 64, and the fifth board 65 are all plate-shaped members extendingvertically and horizontally, have a substantially rectangular shape in afront view, and are fixed to the second partition plate 58.Specifically, the two first boards 61 are provided in one or moreembodiments, and are located separately on the left and right above thefirst space S1. In one or more embodiments, the two third boards 63 areprovided, and are located separately on the left and right below thefirst space S1. The second board 62 is located between the two thirdboards 63 below the center in the left-right direction in the firstspace S1. The fourth board 64 is located on the upper right side in thesecond space S2. The fifth board 65 is located on the upper left side inthe second space S2.

Each of the first boards 61 is provided with a noise filter 61 a, whichis an electric component and a heat-generating component. The secondboard 62 is provided with an intelligent power module (IPM) 62 a, whichis an electric component used for the outdoor fan 26 and is aheat-generating component. Each of the third boards 63 is provided withan intelligent power module (IPM) 63 a, which is an electric componentfor the inverter of the compressor 21 and is a heat-generatingcomponent. Note that the noise filter 61 a, the IPM 62 a, and the IPM 63a are all housed in the first space S1, but are located forwardly awayfrom the back surface 57 of the electric component casing 50 a. As aresult, even if the back surface 57 of the first space S1 is cooled bythe first cooling portion 34 and condensation occurs on the back surface57, the condensation water is suppressed from reaching the noise filter61 a, the IPM 62 a, and the IPM 63 a. Note that the first board 61, thesecond board 62, and the third board 63 are all used as they were whenthe outdoor unit 2 was shipped from the factory, without any work suchas setting by a local worker when constructing the outdoor unit 2.

The fourth board 64 is an auxiliary control board and is provided withvarious electric components 64 a. The fifth board 65 is a main controlboard and is provided with various electric components 65 a. Therefrigeration apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments hasoptional functions that can be optionally selected or added according toa user's desire or the like. Optional functions include, but are notlimited to, on-demand control. The optional functions can be set on thefourth board 64 and the fifth board 65 arranged in the second space S2of the outdoor control unit 50. The settings for the optional functionsin the outdoor control unit 50 are made by a local worker accessing thefourth board 64 and the fifth board 65 and performing manual operationsthereon during the construction of the outdoor unit 2. Specifically, thefourth board 64 and the fifth board 65 are each provided with switchesor the like for making settings. Access to the fifth board 65 having theelectric components 65 a and the fourth board 64 having the electriccomponents 64 a can be made by removing the upper front lid 51. Notethat the upper front lid 51 covering the second space S2 from the frontis provided with the inspection port 51 a that is closed by theinspection lid 51 b, as described above. Therefore, with respect to thefifth board 65, it is possible to perform work such as construction ormaintenance through the inspection port 51 a by simply removing theinspection lid 51 b without removing the entire upper front lid 51. Notethat if the initial settings at the time of construction are made, thesecond space S2 is sealed by the upper front lid 51 or the inspectionlid 51 b.

Note that an electric wire 61 b extends from the first board 61. Anelectric wire 62 b extends from the second board 62. An electric wire 63b extends from the third board 63. An electric wire 64 b extends fromthe fourth board 64. An electric wire 65 b extends from the fifth board65. Note that these electric wires 61 b, 62 b, 63 b, 64 b, and 65 b areillustrated only in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The electric wires 61 b, 62 b, 64 b,and 65 b are connected to the connection terminals of a terminal block69 that is provided on the lower right side in the third space S3. Theelectric wire 63 b passes through the opening 56 b by passing throughthe communication portion 94 of the wire seal material 90 attached tothe lower surface 56 below the first space S1, and is then connected tothe compressor 21.

Here, the electric wire 64 b extending from the fourth board 64 and theelectric wire extending from the fifth board 65 in the second space S2are drawn into the third space S3 through the first opening 59 a, whichis provided in the vicinity of the center of the first partition plate59 so as to penetrate the first partition plate 59 in the verticaldirection, and connected to the connection terminals of the terminalblock 69. More specifically, the electric wire 64 b and the electricwire 65 b pass through the first opening 59 a by passing through thecommunication portion 94 of the wire seal material 90 attached to thefirst partition plate 59.

In addition, the electric wire 61 b extending from the first board 61and the electric wire 62 b extending from the second board 62 in thefirst space S1 are drawn into the second space S2 through the secondopening 58 a, which is provided in the vicinity of the center of thesecond partition plate 58 so as to penetrate the second partition plate58 in the front-rear direction, then drawn into the third space S3through the first opening 59 a in the first partition plate 59, andconnected to the connection terminals of the terminal block 69. Morespecifically, the electric wire 61 b and the electric wire 62 b passthrough the second opening 58 a by passing through the communicationportion 94 of the wire seal material 90 attached to the second partitionplate 58, and then pass through the first opening 59 a by passingthrough the communication portion 94 of the wire seal material 90attached to the first partition plate 59.

Note that the electric wire extending from equipment to be connectedother than the compressor 21 is connected to the connection terminal ofthe terminal block 69. An opening 56 a for allowing passage of theelectric wire extending from equipment other than the compressor 21 isprovided in the portion of the lower surface 56 of the electriccomponent casing 50 a which is located below the terminal block 69 inthe third space S3. In one or more embodiments, the electric wire 63 bthat passes through the opening 56 b of the lower surface 56 locatedbelow the first space S1 is already connected to the compressor 21 atthe time of the factory shipment of the outdoor unit 2, but the electricwire extending from other equipment and the connection terminal of theterminal block 69 are not connected at the time of the factory shipmentof the outdoor unit 2, and are connected by a local worker duringconstruction. Specifically, the worker removes the lower front lid 52 torelease the third space S3, connects the electric wire extending fromequipment other than the compressor 21 to the connection terminal of theterminal block 69 through the opening 56 a in the lower surface 56, andseals the third space S3 with the lower front lid 52. Note that the wireseal material 90 described above is attached to the opening 56 a tosuppress the intrusion of relatively large dust into the third space S3.In addition, in the third space S3, with the lower front lid 52attached, the lid seal material 50 b fills the gap between the lowerfront lid 52 and the front edges of the lower surface 56, the right sidesurface 54, the left side surface 53, and the first partition plate 59,so that the hermeticity is ensured. The third space S3 is slightlyconnected to the space outside the electric component casing 50 athrough the opening 56 a even with the wire seal material 90 attachedthereto. In addition, the terminal block 69 is provided in the thirdspace S3 as described above, and the lower front lid 52 is removed andexposed to the outside for wiring connection work during construction.For this reason, the degree of sealing of the third space S3 among thespaces in the electric component casing 50 a is the lowest. The thirdspace S3 may satisfy the protection grade IP55 or IP55 or more specifiedin JIS C 0920.

In addition, in the second space S2, with the upper front lid 51attached, the lid seal material 50 b brings the upper front lid 51 intoclose contact with the front edges of the top surface 55, the right sidesurface 54, the left side surface 53, and the first partition plate 59,so that the hermeticity is ensured. The second space S2 is connected tothe space outside the electric component casing 50 a only through aslight gap that can exist between the inspection port 51 a and theinspection lid 51 b in the upper front lid 51, or through the firstopening 59 a with the wire seal material 90 attached thereto in thefirst partition plate 59, the third space S3, and the opening 56 a withthe wire seal material 90 attached thereto. In addition, setting work isperformed on the fourth board 64 and the electric components 65 a, whichare arranged in the second space S2, as necessary to meet a user'srequest. Thus, the exposure of the second space S2 to the outside islimited to exposure by removal of the inspection lid 51 b or exposure byremoval of the upper front lid 51 in such necessary cases. Thus, thedegree of sealing of the second space S2 is higher than the degree ofsealing of the third space S3. Specifically, the degree of sealing ofthe second space S2 may satisfy the protection grade IP55 or IP55 ormore specified in JIS C 0920, or satisfy IP66.

Further, the first space S1 is covered with the back surface 57, the topsurface 55, the lower surface 56, the right side surface 54, and theleft side surface 53 which are integrally formed, and the secondpartition plate 58 that is screwed and fixed thereto, so that thehermeticity is ensured. Moreover, the first space S1 is connected to thespace outside the electric component casing 50 a only through theopening 56 b with the wire seal material 90 attached thereto in thelower surface 56, or through the second opening 58 a with the wire sealmaterial 90 attached thereto in the second partition plate 58, thesecond space S2, the first opening 59 a with the wire seal material 90attached thereto in the first partition plate 59, the third space S3,and the opening 56 a with the wire seal material 90 attached thereto.Among them, the electric wire 63 b passing through the opening 56 b inthe lower surface 56 is already connected to the compressor 21 at thetime of the factory shipment of the outdoor unit 2. As described above,since no on-site work is scheduled for the electric wire 63 b, theregion between the edge of the opening 56 b in the lower surface 56 andthe electric wire 63 b is sufficiently sealed by factory work using thewire seal material 90. Furthermore, during the field construction of theoutdoor unit 2, no dust can enter the first space S1 through the opening56 b in the lower surface 56. Therefore, dust from the external space ofthe electric component casing 50 a is sufficiently suppressed fromentering the first space S1 through the opening 56 b. Thus, the degreeof sealing of the first space S1 is higher than the degree of sealing ofthe second space S2. Specifically, the degree of sealing of the firstspace S1 may satisfy the protection grade IP55 or IP55 or more specifiedin JIS C 0920, or may satisfy IP66.

(5) Cooling by First Cooling Portion 34

The first space S1 of the outdoor control unit 50 is cooled by the firstcooling portion 34 of the first cooling circuit 31. Specifically, thefirst cooling portion 34 of the first cooling circuit 31 is provided inthe vicinity of the upper end on the back side of the electric componentcasing 50 a so as to be in thermal contact with the back side of theelectric component casing 50 a with the plurality of first heat transfermembers 34 a interposed therebetween. The first heat transfer members 34a have a flat surface that extends parallel to the back surface 57 ofthe electric component casing 50 a, and are used in such a manner thatthe flat surface is in surface contact with the back surface 57. Thefirst cooling portion 34 extends from the left end to the right end atthe back of the electric component casing 50 a, then turns back throughthe U-shaped portion, and extends to the left end, so that the outgoingand returning sections are vertically aligned.

As described above, in the first space S1 of the outdoor control unit50, the upper space on the back side is cooled by the first coolingportion 34 of the first cooling circuit 31, thereby allowing naturalconvection such as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 8 to occur inthe first space S1, and allowing an increase in the cooling efficiencyof the first space S1. Specifically, the cold air generated on the upperback side of the first space S1 descends on the back side, and then iswarmed by cooling the IPM 62 a and the IPM 63 a, which areheat-generating components, rises as an updraft on the front side, alsocools the noise filter 61 a, which is a heat-generating component, andcirculates. In one or more embodiments, since the IPM 62 a and the IPM63 a have a higher degree of heat generation than the noise filter 61 a,the IPM 62 a and the IPM 63 a can be preferentially cooled.

The plurality of first heat transfer members 34 a are fixed in a stateof being pressed toward the back surface 57 of the electric componentcasing 50 a by using a fixing portion 70 and a spacer 72 to be describedbelow.

The fixing portion 70 has a back-side fixation member 71, a left-sidefixation member 73, a right-side fixation member 74, a left-sidefixation-receiving member 75, a right-side fixation-receiving member 76,a screw 77, and a screw 78.

The back-side fixation member 71 is a bar-shaped member that extendsalong the left-right direction which is the longitudinal direction ofthe first cooling portion 34 in the vicinity of the upper end of theback surface 57 of the electric component casing 50 a. The right end ofthe back-side fixation member 71 is located further rightward than theright side surface 54 of the electric component casing 50 a. The leftend of the back-side fixation member 71 is located further leftward thanthe left side surface 53 of the electric component casing 50 a.

The left-side fixation member 73 is a bar-shaped member that extendsalong the front-rear direction in the vicinity of the upper end of theleft side surface 53 of the electric component casing 50 a. The rear endof the left-side fixation member 73 is coupled to the left end of theback-side fixation member 71. The left-side fixation-receiving member 75is fixed to the outside of the left side surface 53 of the electriccomponent casing 50 a by brazing, screws, or the like. The left-sidefixation-receiving member 75 has a fixation-receiving portion forward ofthe center of the electric component casing 50 a in the front-reardirection, the fixation-receiving portion protruding further leftwardfrom the left side surface 53. The screw 77 fastens the front end of theleft-side fixation member 73 and the fixation-receiving portion of theleft-side fixation-receiving member 75. Specifically, with thefixation-receiving portion of the left-side fixation-receiving member 75disposed in contact with the front end of the left-side fixation member73 from the front, the screw 77 is screwed from the front of thefixation-receiving portion of the left-side fixation-receiving member 75toward the rear to fasten the both. The left-side fixation member 73 ispulled forward by being coupled to the left-side fixation-receivingmember 75 with the screw 77. As a result, the left end of the back-sidefixation member 71 coupled to the left-side fixation member 73 is urgedtoward the front.

The right-side fixation member 74 is a bar-shaped member that extendsalong the front-rear direction in the vicinity of the upper end of theright side surface 54 of the electric component casing 50 a. The rearend of the right-side fixation member 74 is coupled to the right end ofthe back-side fixation member 71. The right-side fixation-receivingmember 76 is fixed to the outside of the right side surface 54 of theelectric component casing 50 a by brazing, screws, or the like. Theright-side fixation-receiving member 76 has a fixation-receiving portionforward of the center of the electric component casing 50 a in thefront-rear direction, the fixation-receiving portion protruding furtherrightward from the right side surface 54. The screw 78 fastens the frontend of the right-side fixation member 74 and the fixation-receivingportion of the right-side fixation-receiving member 76. Specifically,with the fixation-receiving portion of the right-side fixation-receivingmember 76 disposed in contact with the front end of the right-sidefixation member 74 from the front, the screw 78 is screwed from thefront of the fixation-receiving portion of the right-sidefixation-receiving member 76 toward the rear to fasten the both. Theright-side fixation member 74 is pulled forward by being coupled to theright-side fixation-receiving member 76 with the screw 78. As a result,the right end of the back-side fixation member 71 coupled to theright-side fixation member 74 is urged toward the front.

Note that the spacer 72 is provided so as to be in contact with the backside of the plurality of first heat transfer members 34 a, and is abar-shaped member that extends along the left-right direction which isthe longitudinal direction of the first cooling portion 34. Theback-side fixation member 71 is in contact with the back side of thespacer 72. The left end of the spacer 72 is located further rightwardthan the left end of the back-side fixation member 71, and the right endof the spacer 72 is located further leftward than the right end of theback-side fixation member 71. The portion of the first cooling portion34 extending leftward from the lower end of the U-shaped portion islocated below the spacer 72, and the portion of the first coolingportion 34 extending leftward from the upper end of the U-shaped portionis located above the spacer 72. The U-shaped portion of the firstcooling portion 34 is located further rightward than the right end ofthe spacer 72. This prevents the back-side fixation member 71 fromcrushing the U-shaped portion of the first cooling portion 34, even whenthe back-side fixation member 71 is urged toward the front.

Note that the first cooling portion 34 of the first cooling circuit 31is located between the back surface 57 of the electric component casing50 a and the back-side fixation member 71 as viewed from the top. As aresult, the back surface 57, the first cooling portion 34, and theback-side fixation member 71 are arranged in this order from the front.

With the above arrangement configuration, the left-side fixation member73 and the right-side fixation member 74 are urged toward the front, sothat the back-side fixation member 71 can press the plurality of firstheat transfer members 34 a against the back surface 57 of the electriccomponent casing 50 a via the spacer 72. The plurality of first heattransfer members 34 a to which the first cooling portion 34 of the firstcooling circuit 31 is fixed maintain good contact with the back surface57 of the electric component casing 50 a. As a result, the first coolingportion 34 of the first cooling circuit 31 can be brought into thermalcontact with the back surface 57 of the electric component casing 50 a.

(6) Cooling by Second Cooling Portion 38

In the upper vicinity of the portion of the second partition plate 58 ofthe outdoor control unit 50 which faces the third space S3, the secondcooling portion 38 of the second cooling circuit 35 is provided inthermal contact with the second board 62 and the third board 63 with theplurality of second heat transfer members 38 a interposed therebetween.The second heat transfer members 38 a have a flat surface that extendsin parallel to the second partition plate 58, and are used in such amanner that the flat surface is in surface contact with the secondpartition plate 58.

The first connection pipe 39 a and the second connection pipe 39 bconnected to the ends of the second cooling portion 38 pass verticallythrough the opening of the movable surface 56 x that is provided at theportion of the lower surface 56 of the electric component casing 50 awhich is located at the lower left of the third space S3. As a result,the second cooling circuit 35 is drawn into the third space S3, and thesecond cooling portion 38 is located in the third space S3. In the thirdspace S3, the second cooling portion 38 extends from the region wherethe second cooling portion 38 is connected to the end of the firstconnection pipe 39 a to the right end, then turns back through theU-shaped portion, and extends back to the left side until reaching theregion where the second cooling portion 38 is connected to the end ofthe second connection pipe 39 b. The connecting region between thesecond connection pipe 39 b and the second cooling portion 38 is linedup above the connecting region between the first connection pipe 39 aand the second cooling portion 38.

As described above, the upper vicinity of the portion of the secondpartition plate 58 of the outdoor control unit 50 which faces the thirdspace S3 is cooled by the second cooling portion 38 of the secondcooling circuit 35, whereby the IPM 62 a and the IPM 63 a, which areheat-generating components provided in the first space S1 facing thesurface of the second partition plate 58 on the opposite side to thethird space S3, can be cooled.

Note that each of the second heat transfer members 38 a is fixed to thesecond partition plate 58 from the front side by a screw 38 b thatextends in the front-rear direction.

(7) Movement of Second Cooling Portion 38

The second cooling circuit 35 has the first connection pipe 39 a thatextends from one end of the second cooling portion 38 on the lower sideand the second connection pipe 39 b that extends from the other end ofthe second cooling portion 38 on the upper side.

The first connection pipe 39 a has pipe portions of a first curvedportion 81 a, a first straight portion 81 b, a second curved portion 81c, a second straight portion 82, a third curved portion 83 a, a thirdstraight portion 83 b, a fourth curved portion 83 c, a fifth curvedportion 84 a, a fourth straight portion 84 b, and a sixth curved portion84 c. The first curved portion 81 a, the first straight portion 81 b,the second curved portion 81 c, the second straight portion 82, thethird curved portion 83 a, the third straight portion 83 b, the fourthcurved portion 83 c, the fifth curved portion 84 a, the fourth straightportion 84 b, and the sixth curved portion 84 c are connected to eachother in this order from one end of the second cooling portion 38 on thelower side. Note that the first straight portion 81 b, the thirdstraight portion 83 b, and the fourth straight portion 84 b all extendin the vertical direction. In one or more embodiments, the fourthstraight portion 84 b is longer than the first straight portion 81 b andlonger than the third straight portion 83 b. The second straight portion82 extends in the left-right direction. The first curved portion 81 a,the second curved portion 81 c, the third curved portion 83 a, thefourth curved portion 83 c, the fifth curved portion 84 a, and the sixthcurved portion 84 c all have a 90-degree curved shape.

The second connection pipe 39 b has pipe portions of a seventh curvedportion 85 a, a fifth straight portion 85 b, an eighth curved portion 85c, a sixth straight portion 86, a ninth curved portion 87 a, a seventhstraight portion 87 b, a tenth curved portion 87 c, an eighth straightportion 88, an eleventh curved portion 89 a, a ninth straight portion 89b, and a twelfth curved portion 89 c. The seventh curved portion 85 a,the fifth straight portion 85 b, the eighth curved portion 85 c, thesixth straight portion 86, the ninth curved portion 87 a, the seventhstraight portion 87 b, the tenth curved portion 87 c, the eighthstraight portion 88, the eleventh curved portion 89 a, the ninthstraight portion 89 b, and the twelfth curved portion 89 c are connectedto each other in this order from the other end of the second coolingportion 38 on the upper side. Note that the fifth straight portion 85 b,the seventh straight portion 87 b, and the ninth straight portion 89 ball extend in the vertical direction. In one or more embodiments, theninth straight portion 89 b is longer than the fifth straight portion 85b and longer than the seventh straight portion 87 b. The sixth straightportion 86 and the eighth straight portion 88 extend in the left-rightdirection. The seventh curved portion 85 a, the eighth curved portion 85c, the ninth curved portion 87 a, the tenth curved portion 87 c, theeleventh curved portion 89 a, and the twelfth curved portion 89 c allhave a 90-degree curved shape.

With the above configuration, the first connection pipe 39 a bendsdownward at the first curved portion 81 a from the lower end of thesecond cooling portion 38 and extends downward at the first straightportion 81 b, thereby penetrating the movable surface 56 x in thevertical direction and extending outward and downward from the electriccomponent casing 50 a. Then the first connection pipe 39 a bendsleftward at the second curved portion 81 c, extends leftward at thesecond straight portion 82, and then bends upward at the third curvedportion 83 a. Further, the first connection pipe 39 a extends upward atthe third straight portion 83 b, then bends leftward at the fourthcurved portion 83 c, bends downward at the fifth curved portion 84 a,then extends downward at the fourth straight portion 84 b, and bendsrightward at the sixth curved portion 84 c.

In addition, the second connection pipe 39 b bends downward at theseventh curved portion 85 a from the upper end of the second coolingportion 38 and extends downward at the fifth straight portion 85 b,thereby penetrating the movable surface 56 x in the vertical directionand extending outward and downward from the electric component casing 50a. Then the second connection pipe 39 b bends leftward at the eighthcurved portion 85 c, extends leftward at the sixth straight portion 86,and then bends upward at the ninth curved portion 87 a. Further, thesecond connection pipe 39 b extends upward at the seventh straightportion 87 b and then bends leftward at the tenth curved portion 87 c.Furthermore, the second connection pipe 39 b extends leftward at theeighth straight portion 88, then bends downward at the eleventh curvedportion 89 a, extends downward at the ninth straight portion 89 b, andthen bends rightward at the twelfth curved portion 89 c.

Here, the first connection pipe 39 a and the second connection pipe 39 bextend along each other, and the portion extending substantiallyparallel to the direction that is the axis of rotation when rotating thesecond cooling circuit 35 is ensured to be sufficiently long.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the second cooling circuit 35 describedabove can be moved toward the front during the construction of theoutdoor control unit 50 and during maintenance after the construction.

Here, when moving the second cooling circuit 35, first, the workerremoves the upper front panel 16 of the outdoor unit casing 11 to exposethe opening 16 a. Then the worker accesses the outdoor control unit 50through the opening 16 a of the outdoor unit casing 11, and removes thelower front lid 52 of the outdoor control unit 50. Next, the operatorremoves the second heat transfer members 38 a from the second partitionplate 58 by removing the screws 38 b. In this state, the operatorrotates the second cooling circuit 35 by 90 degrees by twisting thefourth straight portion 84 b of the first connection pipe 39 a and theninth straight portion 89 b of the second connection pipe 39 b as theaxes of rotation, or by twisting the region between the fourth straightportion 84 b and the ninth straight portion 89 b as the axis ofrotation. As a result, the second cooling portion 38 of the secondcooling circuit 35 can be moved toward the front while keeping themovable surface 56 x of the lower surface 56 of the electric componentcasing 50 a integral with the first connection pipe 39 a and the secondconnection pipe 39 b. Here, the second cooling portion 38, the firstconnection pipe 39 a, and the second connection pipe 39 b in the secondcooling circuit 35 can be arranged so as not to overlap with the rest ofthe outdoor control unit 50 in a front view.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , the worker removes the screw77 fixed to the left-side fixation member 73 and the screw 78 fixed tothe right-side fixation member 74 in order to press and fix the firstcooling portion 34 against the back surface 57 of the electric componentcasing 50 a. As a result, the worker can remove the portion of theoutdoor control unit 50 other than the lower front lid 52 of theelectric component casing 50 a, and an object to be removed thatincludes the first board 61, the second board 62, the third board 63,the fourth board 64, and the fifth board 65, as a single unit to thefront side.

(8) Features of Embodiments

The outdoor unit 2 of the refrigeration apparatus 1 according to one ormore embodiments can cool the heat-generating components of the outdoorcontrol unit 50 using the first cooling portion 34 of the first coolingcircuit 31 and the second cooling portion 38 of the second coolingcircuit 35. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of theheat generating components of the outdoor control unit 50 fromexcessively increasing, and to enhance the reliability of the outdoorcontrol unit 50.

In addition, the outdoor control unit 50 of one or more embodimentsadopts a hermetically-sealed structure, and in particular, can suppressthe intrusion of dust into the second space S2 and the first space S1.Note that in the outdoor control unit 50 adopting thehermetically-sealed structure, it is difficult to guide the air flowformed by the outdoor fan 26 into the electric component casing 50 a topromote heat dissipation from the electric components inside. However,the outdoor control unit 50 according to one or more embodiments cansufficiently cool the electric components using the first coolingportion 34 and the second cooling portion 38. As a result, the outdoorcontrol unit 50 can suppress dust intrusion while cooling theheat-generating components.

In addition, in the outdoor unit 2 according to one or more embodiments,the degree of sealing of the first space S1 of the outdoor control unit50 is higher than the degree of sealing of the second space S2 or thethird space S3. Moreover, during the construction of the outdoor unit 2,no initial settings are made for the first board 61 having the noisefilter 61 a, the second board 62 having the IPM 62 a, and the thirdboard 63 having the IPM 63 a, which are arranged in the first space S1,and the first space S1 is not released during construction. Therefore,it is possible to suppress the intrusion of dust into the first spaceS1.

Here, for the fourth board 64 having the electric components 64 a andthe fifth board having the electric components 65 a, which are arrangedin the second space S2, optional initial settings are made according toa user's desire during the construction of the outdoor unit 2, by alocal worker removing the inspection lid 51 b for access thereto throughthe inspection port 51 a, or removing the upper front lid 51 for accessthereto. As described above, the outdoor control unit 50 includes aportion to be exposed to the outside of the electric component casing 50a during initial setting, but only the second space S2 can be exposed,and the first space S1 can be limited to exposure through the secondopening 58 a. For this reason, even if the outdoor control unit 50 hasboards and electric components for which initial settings are madeduring construction, it is possible to suppress adverse effects of duston the boards and electric components arranged in the first space S1. Inaddition, a low level of dust resistance is sufficient for the boards orelectric components placed in the first space S1.

In addition, in the outdoor control unit 50, the opening 56 a forallowing passage of the electric wire extending from equipment to beconnected other than the compressor 21 and the terminal block 69 towhich the electric wire extending from equipment other than thecompressor 21 is connected are provided in the third space S3.Furthermore, during construction, the work of connecting the electricwire extending from equipment other than the compressor 21 to theconnection terminal of the terminal block 69 through the opening 56 a isperformed. In this way, during construction, in order to operate theconnection terminal of the terminal block 69, the lower front lid 52 isremoved and the third space S3 is released. Therefore, dust from outsidethe electric component casing 50 a may enter the third space S3.Moreover, the electric wires 64 b and 65 b connected to the connectionterminals of the terminal block 69 are connected to the fourth board 64and the fifth board 65 arranged in the second space S2. In addition, theelectric wires 61 b and 62 b connected to the connection terminals ofthe terminal block 69 are connected to the first board 61 and secondboard 62 arranged in the first space S1. Therefore, the dust that hasentered the third space S3 may reach the second space S2 or the firstspace S1. However, in the outdoor control unit 50 according to one ormore embodiments, the third space S3 and the second space S2 arepartitioned by the first partition plate 59, the wire seal material 90is attached to the first opening 59 a provided in the first partitionplate 59, and the peripheries of the electric wires 61 b, 62 b, 64 b,and 65 b is covered with the wire seal material 90. Therefore, even ifdust enters the third space S3, the dust is suppressed from reaching thesecond space S2. Further, in the outdoor control unit 50, the secondspace S2 and the first space S1 are partitioned by the second partitionplate 58, the wire seal material 90 is attached to the second opening 58a provided in the second partition plate 58, and the peripheries of theelectric wires 61 b and 62 b are covered with the wire seal material 90.In addition, the second partition plate 58 is not provided with anopening that allows direct communication between the third space S3 andthe first space S1. Furthermore, since the opening 56 b in the lowersurface 56 provided below the first space S1 is not a region to beoperated during on-site construction, the opening 56 b is alreadysufficiently sealed by the wire seal material 90 when the outdoor unit 2is shipped from the factory, and remains unreleased even during on-siteconstruction. Therefore, even if dust reaches the second space S2, thedust is suppressed from reaching the first space S1.

In addition, the first cooling portion 34 of the first cooling circuit31 is in thermal contact with the relatively wide back surface 57 of theelectric component casing 50 a of the outdoor control unit 50 to performcooling. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently provide the coolingeffect of the electric components by the first cooling portion 34. Inaddition, since the first cooling portion 34 provides sufficient coolingeffect as described above, it is not necessary to dispose the firstcooling circuit 31 along the left side surface 53 and right side surface54 of the electric component casing 50 a, and it is not necessary tomake the left side surface 53 and the right side surface 54 long in thefront-rear direction in order to secure a wide cooling surface. For thisreason, the dimension of the electric component casing 50 a in thefront-rear direction can be reduced. Thus, the electric component casing50 a is less likely to obstruct the air flow in the space surrounded bythe outdoor heat exchanger 23, and the air volume by the outdoor fan 26is easily secured.

Furthermore, the outdoor unit 2 according to one or more embodimentsallows the outdoor control unit 50 to be easily maintained by removingthe upper front panel 16 of the outdoor unit casing 11 to expose theopening 16 a.

In addition, in the outdoor unit 2 according to one or more embodiments,the first cooling portion 34 of the first cooling circuit 31 is fixed insuch a manner as to be pressed against the back surface 57 of theelectric component casing 50 a from behind. As a result, the coolingeffect of the back surface 57 of the electric component casing 50 a bythe first cooling portion 34 can be enhanced. In addition, with theupper front panel 16 of the outdoor unit casing 11 removed to expose theopening 16 a, the first cooling portion 34 of the first cooling circuit31 is located behind the electric component casing 50 a, and thereforeit is difficult to directly press the first cooling portion 34 againstthe electric component casing 50 a. Meanwhile, in one or moreembodiments, the back-side fixation member 71 is used to press the firstcooling portion 34 against the back surface 57 of the electric componentcasing 50 a. The left-side fixation member 73 and the right-sidefixation member 74 are coupled to the left and right ends of theback-side fixation member 71. Furthermore, the left-side fixation member73 and the right-side fixation member 74 are pulled forward and fixed tothe left-side fixation-receiving member 75 and the right-sidefixation-receiving member 76, respectively. The fixing work using thescrew 77 and the screw 78 on the left-side fixation-receiving member andthe right-side fixation-receiving member 76 can be performed from thefront side through the opening 16 a of the outdoor unit casing 11. Thus,the structure for enhancing the cooling effect of the back surface 57 ofthe electric component casing 50 a can be achieved by work from thefront side through the opening 16 a of the outdoor unit casing 11.

Here, in the outdoor unit 2 according to one or more embodiments, thesecond cooling portion 38 is located in the front of the outdoor controlunit 50. However, in a state where the upper front panel 16 of theoutdoor unit casing 11 removed to expose the opening 16 a, the secondcooling portion 38 can be rotationally moved toward the front. Thismakes it easy to access the outdoor control unit 50 through the opening16 a of the outdoor unit casing 11, and also makes it easy to remove theoutdoor control unit 50.

(9) Other Embodiments (9-1) Other Embodiments A

In the above embodiments, the case where for the fifth board 65 and thefourth board 64 arranged in the second space S2, initial settings aremade as necessary at the time of the construction of the outdoor unit 2,according to a user's desire or the like, has been described as anexample.

Meanwhile, for example, the outdoor control unit 50 may be such thatduring construction, no operation is performed on the fourth board 64and the fifth board 65 arranged in the second space S2. Note that sinceno operation during construction is performed on the fourth board 64 andthe fifth board 65 arranged in the second space S2, the upper front lid51 is not removed during construction, and the inspection lid 51 b isnot removed. Therefore, the second space S2 is not exposed to theoutside.

(9-2) Other Embodiments B

In the above embodiments, the outdoor control unit 50 having both thefirst space S1 and the second space S2 inside the electric componentcasing 50 a has been described as an example.

Meanwhile, as the outdoor control unit 50, the casing forming the firstspace S1 and the casing forming the second space S2 may be separatelydisposed apart. Even in this case, the initial settings at the time ofthe construction of the outdoor unit 2 can be completed by performingthe initial settings for the boards and electric components arranged inthe second space S2, and no operation is required for the first spaceS1. Therefore, it is possible to protect the boards and electriccomponents arranged in the first space S1 from the intrusion of dust.

(9-3) Other Embodiments C

In the above embodiments, the case where the outdoor control unit 50 iscooled by the second cooling portion 38 of the second cooling circuit 35from the front side and cooled by the first cooling portion 34 of thefirst cooling circuit 31 from the rear side has been described as anexample.

Meanwhile, for example, if the electric components of the outdoorcontrol unit 50 can be sufficiently cooled, the cooling by the secondcooling portion 38 may be omitted, and the configuration may be suchthat the second cooling circuit 35 according to the above embodiments isnot provided.

(9-4) Other Embodiments D

In the above embodiments, the case where the back-side fixation member71 presses the plurality of first heat transfer members 34 a against theback surface 57 of the electric component casing 50 a via the spacer 72has been described as an example.

Meanwhile, the back-side fixation member 71 according to the aboveembodiments may include a shape portion corresponding to the spacer 72according to the above embodiments, thereby eliminating the need for thespacer 72 as a separate member.

Specifically, the back-side fixation member 71 may include a portionbulging forward at a position on the left side of the U-shaped portionof the first cooling portion 34, between the portion of the firstcooling portion 34 extending leftward from the lower end of the U-shapedportion and the portion of the first cooling portion 34 extendingleftward from the upper end of the U-shaped portion. As a result, evenwithout the spacer 72 as a separate member, the plurality of first heattransfer members 34 a can be pressed against the back surface 57 of theelectric component casing 50 a without crushing the first coolingportion 34.

(9-5) Other Embodiments E

In the above embodiments, the case where the back-side fixation member71 is used in a state of being coupled to the left-side fixation member73 and the right-side fixation member 74 has been described as anexample.

However, the back-side fixation member 71, the left-side fixation member73, and the right-side fixation member 74 may be integrally moldedinstead of separate members.

In addition, instead of the configuration in which the front end of theleft-side fixation member 73 is fixed to the left-sidefixation-receiving member 75 by the screw 77, the left-side fixationmember 73 may be configured so as to have a claw that extends forwarduntil reaching the left edge of the upper front lid 51, protrudes to theright at the front end, and can be hooked on the left edge of the upperfront lid 51. Similarly, instead of the configuration in which the frontend of the right-side fixation member 74 is fixed to the right-sidefixation-receiving member 76 by the screw 78, the right-side fixationmember 74 may be configured so as to have a claw that extends forwarduntil reaching the right edge of the upper front lid 51, protrudes tothe left at the front end, and can be hooked on the right edge of theupper front lid 51.

As described above, the fixing portion 70 is not limited as long as theback-side fixation member 71 can be pressed against the plurality offirst heat transfer members 34 a.

(9-6) Others

The degree of hermetic sealing can be determined on the basis of thepossibility of access by a worker, and the size of the opening in theregion where the worker performs sealing work on site. In the relativedetermination of the degree of hermetic sealing, the degree ofpossibility of access by the worker is preferentially determined, and ifthe possibility is the same, the determination may be made by the sizeof the opening in the region where the worker performs the sealing workon site. Note that, the possibility of access by the worker can beevaluated as high, for example, for regions that are scheduled to beaccessed and worked on in advance, and the possibility can be evaluatedas medium for regions where work is optionally performed according touser's choice. Note that examples of the scheduled work include settingwork and wiring connection work, and may not include equipment failureor error processing.

Note that the seal material may have a portion located between the firstwire and the edge of the first opening when viewed from the direction inwhich the first wire passes through the first opening.

Note that the first lid may be provided with an openable and closableinspection port.

Note that the first portion and the second portion may be one integrallymolded component or may be separate components.

Supplement

Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments maybe devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by theattached claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 refrigeration apparatus    -   2 Outdoor Unit    -   4 Indoor Unit    -   5 gas-refrigerant communication pipe    -   6 liquid-refrigerant communication pipe    -   10 refrigerant circuit    -   11 outdoor unit casing (casing)    -   16 upper front panel    -   16 a opening (maintenance opening)    -   21 compressor    -   23 outdoor heat exchanger    -   26 outdoor fan    -   30 cooling circuit    -   31 first cooling circuit (refrigerant pipe)    -   34 first cooling portion (cooling portion)    -   34 a first heat transfer member (heat transfer material)    -   35 second cooling circuit    -   38 second cooling portion    -   50 outdoor control unit (electric component unit)    -   50 a electric component casing (housing, hermetic container)    -   50 b lid seal material    -   51 upper front lid (first surface)    -   51 a inspection port    -   51 b inspection lid    -   52 lower front lid (first surface)    -   53 left side surface (side surface)    -   54 right side surface    -   57 back surface (cooling surface, second surface)    -   58 second partition plate    -   58 a second opening    -   59 first partition plate    -   59 a first opening    -   61 a noise filter (first electric component)    -   61 b electric wire (second wire)    -   62 a IPM (first electric component)    -   62 b electric wire (second wire)    -   63 a IPM (first electric component)    -   63 b electric wire (second wire)    -   64 a electric component (second electric component)    -   64 b electric wire (first wire)    -   65 a electric component (second electric component)    -   65 b electric wire (first wire)    -   69 terminal block    -   70 fixing portion (holder)    -   71 back-side fixation member (first portion)    -   72 spacer    -   73 left-side fixation member (second portion)    -   74 right-side fixation member (second portion)    -   90 wire seal material (seal material)    -   S1 first space (first chamber)    -   S2 second space (second chamber)    -   S3 third space (third chamber)

PATENT LITERATURE

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.    2010-2121

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric component unit in an outdoor unit ofa refrigeration apparatus, the electric component unit comprising: afirst electric component; a first chamber that houses the first electriccomponent; a second electric component; and a second chamber that housesthe second electric component, wherein the first chamber has a higherdegree of hermetic sealing than the second chamber.
 2. The electriccomponent unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a first wire; aterminal block connected to the second electric component through thefirst wire; and a third chamber that houses the terminal block, whereinthe second chamber has a higher degree of hermetic sealing than thethird chamber.
 3. The electric component unit according to claim 2,further comprising: a first partition plate that partitions the secondchamber and the third chamber, wherein the first partition plate: has afirst opening through which the first wire passes, and comprises a sealmaterial between the first wire and an edge of the first opening.
 4. Theelectric component unit according to claim 3, further comprising: asecond wire that connects the first electric component to the terminalblock; and a second partition plate that: partitions the first chamberand the second chamber, and has a second opening, wherein the secondwire passes through the second opening and the first opening.
 5. Theelectric component unit according to claim 1, further comprising ahousing having: the first chamber and the second chamber inside, and aninspection port) that is openable and closable at a position connectingan outside of the housing and the second chamber.
 6. The electriccomponent unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a firstpartition plate that partitions the second chamber and the thirdchamber, wherein the second chamber has a first lid that is openable andclosable, and the third chamber has a second lid that is separate fromthe first lid and openable and closable.
 7. An outdoor unit of arefrigeration apparatus, comprising the electric component unitaccording to claim
 1. 8. The outdoor unit according to claim 7, furthercomprising: a refrigerant pipe that: comprises a cooling portion that isin thermal contact with the electric component unit, and circulates arefrigerant; and a casing: having a maintenance opening and housing theelectric component unit and the refrigerant pipe, wherein the electriccomponent unit is disposed between the cooling portion of therefrigerant pipe and the maintenance opening of the casing.
 9. Theoutdoor unit according to claim 8, wherein the electric component unitcomprises a hermetic container that houses the first electric component,and the cooling portion of the refrigerant pipe is in thermal contactwith the hermetic container.
 10. The outdoor unit according to claim 9,wherein the hermetic container has a degree of hermetic sealing thatsatisfies a protection grade IP55 specified in JIS C
 0920. 11. Theoutdoor unit according to claim 9, wherein the cooling portion of therefrigerant pipe is in thermal contact with the hermetic container at aposition biased upward in the hermetic container.
 12. The outdoor unitaccording to claim 9, wherein the cooling portion of the refrigerantpipe is in thermal contact with a cooling surface of the hermeticcontainer opposite from a side of the maintenance opening, and the firstelectric component is inside the hermetic container and away from thecooling surface.
 13. The outdoor unit according to claim 9, wherein thehermetic container has: a first surface on a side of the maintenanceopening, a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface tothe side of the maintenance opening, and a side surface connecting thefirst surface and the second surface, and the second surface is widerthan the side surface.
 14. The outdoor unit according to claim 8,further comprising a heat transfer material between the electriccomponent unit and the cooling portion of the refrigerant pipe.
 15. Theoutdoor unit according to claim 14, further comprising a holder pressingthe heat transfer material against the electric component unit andfixing the heat transfer material.
 16. The outdoor unit according toclaim 15, further comprising; a spacer between the holder and the heattransfer material, wherein the cooling portion of the refrigerant pipeis between the electric component unit and the holder, and the holderpresses the heat transfer material against the electric component unitvia the spacer.
 17. The outdoor unit according to claim 15, wherein theholder comprises: a first portion on an opposite side of the heattransfer material to a side of the electric component unit, and a secondportion connected to the first portion and extending along a lateralside of the electric component unit toward a side of the maintenanceopening, and the holder: pulls the second portion toward the side of themaintenance opening, and presses the heat transfer material against theelectric component unit with the first portion.